Nurturing the Hero to Avoid Death

Ch 27.6.1 - Interlude - White Dream and Silver Light (Alfred's Point of View) ※

[Attention]

The end of this chapter hints at a slightly dark scene in the next chapter. Please take caution if you’re not good with such things.

Our group trudges up Black Shadow Mountain with Lian acting as our guide.

The path we’re taking hasn’t been cleared of wild shrubbery, so we clear the branches and ivy in our path ourselves, either pushing them to the sides or cutting them.

After a while, we hear several people calling out Mite’s name. We give chase in that direction.

Following the voices, we manage to find Cheddar-san’s search team, consisting of Cheddar-san, Gouda-san, and three other villagers. And without a hitch too.

Just like what Lian had told us before we set off.

For a moment, Cheddar-san’s team looks happy to see us, but their expressions once again darken in the next. We glance at Gouda-san, situated a little farther away from the rest of the group.

In Gouda-san’s hand is a thin, light blue ribbon, dirtied with soil. His eyes are red and swollen, like he just wept his eyes out.

That ribbon’s familiar… Ah.

That’s Mite’s favorite ribbon. She often uses it to tie her hair.

Though I don’t wish for my prediction to be true, I have no doubt that Mite has been taken to the depths of this mountain.

When Lian tells them he has an idea where the monsters are, the faces of Cheddar-san’s team slightly brighten, and they request to join our group.

Lian nods at Cheddar-san in response, relief washing over his features. Then he mutters, “With this, everyone has gathered.”

I’m probably the only one who heard this.

After all, I have sharper ears than the average person.

Although I’m happy that we managed to meet up with Cheddar-san’s team, something about the way Lian worded that statement feels strange to me. Out of reflex, I tilt my head down and look at him. He shakes his head with a smile, silently reassuring me that nothing’s wrong. His smile looks fake though.

Then before I can ask him anything, Lian walks away, distancing himself from me.

I wonder why.

I feel like he’s trying to avoid me. To avoid any questions I may ask him.

Filled with an indescribable feeling, I sigh as I watch Lian’s figure shrink in the distance.

Meanwhile, Gouda-san continues to stare at the light blue ribbon in his hand, his sobs unceasing. He stumbles forward, as though his legs were made of lead.

After walking toward Gouda-san, Cheddar-san slaps Gouda-san’s back with all his might, eyebrows furrowed. “This brat! Seriously, get a hold of yourself, Gouda! We’re not sure that Mite’s dead yet, ok? Don’t give up until we see her ourselves! If you, her father, is the first to give up, then what about us?!”

Gouda-san sniffles. “You’re right, but… Ughh, I-I understand Brother…”

“Man…” said Cheddar-san. “I heard from my buddy that at the start of last month, a fang rabbit destroyed his potato field, even though they rarely show up around there. An old man also made a racket after catching sight of a red-eyed bird, something people find a symbol of bad luck… And now, bloodclaw bears, which rarely leave their mountain, have appeared. I have a bad feeling about this…” He lets out a sigh, slight worry crossing his face. A rare sight coming from Cheddar-san. “I hope it’s just my imagination.”